TEXAS SCHOOL SURVEY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

SPRINGTOWN ISD

SECONDARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

In the Spring of 1995, the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, in conjunction with
the Public Policy Research Institute at Texas A&M University, administered a survey to
students in grade 9 in the Springtown Independent School District (SISD). A total of 206
students completed the questionnaire, which asked about students' experiences with alcohol and
drugs. Of that number, one survey was excluded from analysis because the student did not
indicate grade or age, or because the student was identified as an exaggerator (i.e., claimed to
have used a non-existent drug or reported overly excessive drug use). The final number of
surveys included in the overall district analysis was 205.1

Students' responses to the questionnaire indicate that:

•Sixty-five percent of Springtown ISD students reported using tobacco at least once
during their lifetimes, and 38 percent said they had used tobacco during the past
month.

•Fourteen percent of Springtown ISD students said they smoke cigarettes on a daily
basis, while 4 percent reported using a smokeless tobacco product on a daily
basis.

•Sixty-nine percent of Springtown ISD students said they had used alcohol at least once
during their lifetimes, and 32 percent reported using alcohol during the past
month.

•Five percent of Springtown ISD students reported attending at least one class during
the past year while "drunk," and 7 percent of district students said they had
driven a car at least once during the past year after having "a good bit to drink."

•Lifetime use of inhalants was reported by 21 percent of Springtown ISD students,

while past-month inhalant use was reported by 4 percent.

•Thirty-two percent of Springtown ISD students reported using marijuana at least once
during their lifetimes, and 18 percent said they had used marijuana during the
past month.

1 The percentages referred to in the executive summary were taken from the tables found in "Part I: District
Survey Results." Due to the differences in rounding procedures, there may be slight discrepancies between the
percentages referred to in the tables and those reflected in the executive summary.

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•Springtown ISD students are most likely to turn to friends for help with a drug or
alcohol problem (78 percent) and least likely to consult a medical doctor (31
percent).

Tobacco

Between 1992 and 1994, the general use of tobacco (including cigarettes and smokeless
products) among students statewide stayed much the same. 2 Overall, the general use of tobacco
products among Springtown ISD 9th grade students is somewhat higher than that reported by
their 9th grade counterparts statewide.

Sixty-five percent of Springtown students reported general tobacco use at least once during
their lifetimes, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by 9th grade students statewide (57
percent). Thirty-eight percent of Springtown ISD students said they had used a tobacco product
during the past month, a rate higher than that reported by 9th grade students statewide (26
percent).

Sixty-two percent of Springtown students reported smoking cigarettes at least once during their
lifetimes, a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (55 percent).
Thirty-four percent of SISD students said they had smoked cigarettes during the past month, a
rate higher than that reported by their peers statewide (24 percent). Smoking cigarettes on a
daily basis was reported by 14 percent of district students, a rate somewhat higher than that
reported by 9th grade students statewide (7 percent). Nineteen percent of district students said
most or all of their close friends smoke cigarettes.3

Lifetime use of smokeless tobacco products was reported by 36 percent of SISD students, a rate
higher than that reported by their counterparts statewide (16 percent). Thirteen percent of
district students said they had used a smokeless tobacco product during the past month, a rate
somewhat higher than that reported by their peers statewide (6 percent). Using a smokeless
tobacco product on a daily basis was reported by 4 percent of district students (1 percent
statewide), and 11 percent said most or all of their close friends use smokeless tobacco.

Alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used substance among students statewide. Alcohol use among
secondary students in 1994 was similar to that reported in 1992. Overall, Springtown ISD 9th
grade students are drinking alcohol at rates somewhat lower than those reported by their 9th
grade peers statewide.
2 Statewide data is collected every other year. The statewide data used for comparison purposes in the district
report and executive summary is taken from the results of the survey administered in 1994.

3 Because a non-standard grade combination was surveyed in this district, some statewide data are
unavailable for comparisons throughout this summary.

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Sixty-nine percent of Springtown students reported consuming alcohol at least once during their
lifetimes, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 9th grade students statewide (76 percent).
Thirty-two percent of Springtown ISD students said they had consumed alcohol during the past
month, compared to 41 percent of 9th grade students statewide.

The alcoholic beverages most often consumed by Springtown students are beer (57 percent/62
percent statewide) and wine coolers (52 percent/61 percent statewide). Twenty-eight percent of
SISD students said they drink beer on a weekly or monthly basis (40 percent statewide), and 24
percent said they drink wine coolers weekly or monthly (36 percent statewide), rates lower than
those reported by their peers statewide.

"Binge drinking" is the consumption of five or more beers, wine coolers, servings of wine, or
drinks with liquor at one time. Thirty-eight percent of Springtown ISD students reported "binge
drinking" beer at least once during the past year (41 percent statewide), while 20 percent said
they usually drink five or more beers at a time on average when they drink (21 percent
statewide). Past-year "binge drinking" of wine coolers was reported by 36 percent of SISD
students, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by their counterparts statewide (43 percent).
Twenty percent of district students said they usually drink five or more wine coolers at a time
on average when they drink (21 percent statewide).

Five percent of Springtown students reported attending at least one class during the past school
year while "drunk" (10 percent statewide). Seven percent of SISD students said that they had
driven a car after having "a good bit to drink" at least once during the past year (9 percent
statewide). Driving while intoxicated four or more times during the past year was reported by 2
percent of district students (2 percent statewide).

Students were asked about the availability of alcohol, its use among friends, and its use at
parties. Seventy-nine percent of Springtown ISD students said beer, wine, wine coolers, or
liquor were somewhat easy or very easy to obtain (77 percent statewide). Twenty-nine percent
of district students reported most or all of their close friends drink alcohol, a rate lower than that
reported by their counterparts statewide (40 percent). Twenty-nine percent of district students
responded "from friends" when asked where they obtained alcohol most of the time or always.
"Difficulties of any kind" with friends because of one's own drinking was reported by 5 percent
of SISD students (9 percent statewide).

Thirty-two percent of Springtown students said alcohol was used at most or all of the parties
they attended in the past school year, a rate somewhat lower than that reported by 9th grade
students statewide (39 percent). Forty percent of district students responded "at parties" when
asked where they obtain alcohol most of the time or always, while 13 percent of SISD students
said they get alcohol "from the store" most of the time or always.

Students were asked how many days during the school year they were absent from class due to
an illness or for some other reason, and how many days they had been in trouble because of
conduct or attitude problems. Fewer SISD students who had not been absent since the Fall

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reported having used alcohol during the past month (11 percent) than did district students who
said they had missed four or more days of school (40 percent). Seventy-four percent of the
district students who had experienced difficulties with school officials on four or more days
reported using alcohol during the past 30 days. By contrast, only 18 percent of district students
who had not experienced difficulties with school officials because of conduct problems had
used alcohol within the past 30 days.

Parental attitudes can be a major factor in whether or not a student uses alcohol or drugs. When
asked how their parents feel about kids their age drinking beer, 79 percent of Springtown
students said their parents strongly or mildly disapprove (75 percent statewide). Eight percent
of district students said they "don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age drinking
beer (10 percent statewide), and 8 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (11
percent statewide).

Inhalants4

In general, inhalants are common, licit substances (paints, thinners, correction fluid, glue, etc.)
which, when sniffed, huffed, or inhaled, produce an intoxicating effect. Between 1992 and
1994, use of inhalants among students statewide decreased. Overall, Springtown ISD students
are using inhalants at rates similar to those reported by their counterparts statewide.

Twenty-one percent of Springtown students reported using inhalants at least once during their
lifetimes (19 percent statewide). Four percent of Springtown ISD students said they had used
inhalants during the past month (5 percent statewide).

Six percent of SISD students reported most or all of their close friends use inhalants (3 percent
statewide), and 4 percent said they had attended at least one class during the past school year
while "high" on inhalants (4 percent statewide). Fourteen percent of SISD students said they
had used two or more different kinds of inhalant substances during their lifetimes (12 percent
statewide).

The inhalant substances most frequently used by Springtown students were correction
fluid/Liquid Paper (12 percent/10 percent statewide) and substances in the "other inhalants"
category (12 percent/8 percent statewide). Eleven percent of SISD students reported inhaling
gasoline (6 percent statewide), 9 percent said they had inhaled liquid/spray paint (7 percent
statewide), 6 percent said they had inhaled paint thinner (6 percent statewide), 3 percent said
they had inhaled glue (6 percent statewide), and 3 percent reported inhaling substances in the
"other sprays" category (4 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes.

Illicit Drugs
4 Lifetime and current inhalant use figures have been adjusted to reflect reported use of both specific inhalants
and inhalant use generally. Some students responded positive to specific use without responding positive to
generic use. Some students responded positive to generic use but not specific inhalants.

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Illicit drugs are defined as controlled substances and include marijuana, cocaine (powdered
form and crack), uppers (stimulants), downers (narcotics), hallucinogens, and ecstasy. Between
1992 and 1994, the use of illicit drugs among students statewide increased. The use of
marijuana, the most frequently used illicit substance, also increased among students statewide
over that two year period.

In the Springtown ISD, 35 percent of students reported use of illicit drugs at least once during
their lifetimes (30 percent statewide), while 25 percent of SISD students said they had used one
or more illicit substances three or more times (21 percent statewide), rates similar to those
reported by their peers statewide. Statewide, students who said they had used illicit drugs
reported using them an average of 1.7 times in the past 30 days and 4.6 times during their lives.
Springtown students reported average usage rates of 2.5 times in the past month and 5.5 times
during their lifetimes.

Thirty-two percent of SISD students reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, a
rate similar to that reported by students statewide (28 percent). Past-month marijuana use was
reported by 18 percent of Springtown ISD students (14 percent statewide).

Fifteen percent of SISD students reported attending at least one class in the past year while
"stoned" on marijuana (12 percent statewide). Driving under the influence of drugs at least
once during the past year was reported by 8 percent of Springtown ISD students (6 percent
statewide).

Fifty-six percent of SISD students said marijuana was somewhat or very easy to obtain (52
percent statewide), and 20 percent reported most or all of their close friends use marijuana (21
percent statewide). Nine percent of district students said they had been in "difficulties of any
kind" with their friends because of their own drug use (5 percent statewide). Twenty-seven
percent of the Springtown ISD students said that marijuana and/or other drugs were used at
most or all of the parties they attended during the school year, a rate somewhat higher than that
reported by their counterparts statewide (19 percent).

Fewer Springtown ISD students who had not been absent since the Fall reported having used
marijuana during the past month (11 percent) than did district students who said they had
missed four or more days of school (21 percent). Six percent of district students who had not
been in trouble with school officials reported using marijuana within the past 30 days. By
contrast, 59 percent of district students who had been in trouble with school officials on four or
more days reported using marijuana during the past 30 days.

When asked about parental attitudes toward marijuana use, Springtown students reported a
disapproval rate of 90 percent (86 percent statewide). Six percent of district students said they
"don't know" how their parents feel about kids their age using marijuana (8 percent statewide),
while 2 percent said their parents neither approve nor disapprove (4 percent statewide).

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Hallucinogens (12 percent/6 percent statewide) and uppers (11 percent/8 percent statewide) are
the next most frequently used illicit substances among Springtown ISD students. Five percent
of SISD students said they had used powdered cocaine (6 percent statewide), 5 percent reported
using downers (5 percent statewide), 4 percent reported using crack (2 percent statewide), 2
percent said they had used steroids (2 percent statewide), and 7 percent reported using ecstasy
(2 percent statewide) at least once during their lifetimes.

CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

Statewide, female students were less likely to have used drugs than were male students. There
were no significant differences by gender among SISD students with regard to the use of
tobacco products, alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, or other illicit substances.

Statewide, students making A and B grades reported lower drug use than did students making
C, D, and F grades. In the Springtown ISD, students reporting lower grades were nearly twice
as likely to have used tobacco or alcohol products, nearly three times more likely to have used
inhalants, marijuana, hallucinogens, uppers, or ecstasy, and over three times more likely to have
used powdered cocaine, crack, or downers than those students making A and B grades. There
were no significant differences by grade average among SISD students with regard to the use of
steroids.

In the statewide survey, students living in two-parent homes reported lower drug use than did
students living in other family situations. SISD students living in other family situations were
somewhat more likely to have smoked marijuana, over two times more likely to have used
hallucinogens, nearly three times more likely to have used inhalants or powdered cocaine, and
over three times more likely to have used crack or downers than were those district students
living in homes with two parents. District students living in two-parents homes were the only
reported users of steroids. There were no other significant differences by living arrangement
among Springtown ISD students with regard to the use of tobacco products, alcohol, uppers, or
ecstasy.

When asked where they would go for help with a drug or alcohol problem, the largest
percentage of Springtown students said they would seek help from their friends (78 percent/74
percent statewide). Fifty-three percent of SISD students said they would seek help from an
adult friend or relative (58 percent statewide), and 53 percent said they would turn to their
parents (51 percent statewide). District students are least likely to seek help from a medical
doctor (31 percent/37 percent statewide) or a counselor or program in school (32 percent/36
percent statewide). Since school began in the Fall, 4 percent of Springtown students reported
seeking help for any problems connected with alcohol or drug use from someone other than
family or friends (7 percent statewide).

Ninety-three percent of Springtown ISD students said they had gotten information about drugs
and alcohol from a school source since classes began in the Fall, a rate higher than that reported
by their peers statewide (80 percent). Ninety-one percent of district students reported getting

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information about drugs and alcohol from a "health class," a rate higher than that reported by
their counterparts statewide (45 percent). "An assembly program" was reported by 42 percent
of district students as a source for this information, a rate lower than that reported by 9th grade
students statewide (53 percent). Forty-one percent of district students said "an invited school
guest" was a source for information about drugs and alcohol (45 percent statewide).

The influence of drug education programs may be reflected in students' attitudes toward the use
of specific substances. Ninety-five percent of Springtown students believe that crack use is
"very dangerous" (90 percent statewide). Ninety-four percent of district students believe that
powdered cocaine use is "very dangerous," a rate somewhat higher than that reported by their
counterparts statewide (88 percent). Seventy-six percent of SISD students believe that inhalant
use is "very dangerous" (76 percent statewide), and 68 percent believe that marijuana use is
"very dangerous" (63 percent statewide). By contrast, the perceived danger of alcohol and
tobacco use is lower. Only 44 percent of SISD students feel that it is "very dangerous" to use
alcohol (42 percent statewide). Twenty-seven percent of district students believe that tobacco
use is "very dangerous," a rate lower than that reported by 9th grade students statewide (38
percent).